RIO FERDINAND has warned Manchester United against signing Ruben Neves and Youri Tielemans in the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils are on the hunt for a new central midfielder at the end of the season.
Man Utd have struggled to form a coherent partnership in the centre of the pitch.
Paul Pogba looks set to leave in the summer when his contract comes to an end – with the Frenchman heavily linked to PSG and Real Madrid.
And Nemanja Matic is set to enter the final year of his deal, meaning he too could be out the door in the coming months.
That leaves Scott McTominay, Fred and Bruno Fernandes as the club’s only experienced central midfielders.
Yet despite that, Ferdinand does not believe Neves and Tielemans are the way to go.
Speaking about Neves on his Vibe With Five podcast, the ex-Man Utd captain began: “I like him, he’s fantastic, he keeps the ball as well as anyone, a really good footballer.”
But when asked if a Neves-Tielemans-Fernandes midfield trio could be the solution, he added: “That wouldn’t be my choice, I’ve got to be honest.
“I like them, good players, but if you think that midfield is getting you any closer to the other teams I’d argue against it.
“Mobility-wise we’d be lacking.”
Both Man Utd and Arsenal were linked with a move for Neves in the January window.
He arrived at Molineux from Porto in 2017 for £15.8million and helped them secure promotion to the Premier League under Nuno Espirito Santo.
His impressive form has seen Wolves slap a £40m price tag on his head.
Meanwhile, Tielemans is another midfielder Man Utd may have to beat Arsenal to if they are to sign him in the summer.
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Come the end of the season, the Belgian will have just 12 months of his existing deal remaining, so Leicester could be ready to cash in on him.
The 24-year-old has made 138 appearances for the Foxes, contributing 24 goals and 22 assists.
His highlight moment came in the FA Cup final last season when he scored the winner at Wembley to help Leicester win the competition for the first time in their history.
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